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<h1 class="center"><img src="Pictures/Flags&Names/Colombia_SMALL.jpg" width="200" height="100" align="center" /></h1>
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<h2 class="center"><img src="Pictures/Flags&Names/colombian-flag.jpg" width="330" height="240" align="left"/>Colombia, a tropical country of incredible diversity and charm. Its ever-changing geography, a history loaded with mystery and adventure, its people and cultures, have fascinated the world for centuries.</h2>
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<h3 class="center">Location, Language and Capital</h3>
<p class="center">Colombia is located in the Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Santa fé de Bogotá is the Capital of Colombia and it is a city of contrasts. It's a city of highrise buildings standing next to colonial churches; a city of universities, theaters and shantytowns. It is a mixture of influences, Spanish, English and Indian; a city of great wealth and material well being and abject poverty. It is a city of wild traffic and calm oases reflecting a bygone day. It is a modern city with futuristic architecture, graffiti and congestion; restaurants, bookstores and street vendors peddling emeralds, thieves, beggars, street people and drug dealers wrapped around the inner core of the old city. The official language of Colombia is Spanish and spoken by around 43 million people. In addition there are approximately 500,000 speakers of American Indian languages.</p>
<h3 class="center">Climate</h3>
<p class="center">The Climate of Colombia is characterized for being tropical and isothermal as a result of its geographical location near the Equator presenting variations within five natural regions and depending on the altitude, temperature, humidity, winds and rainfall. Each region maintains an average temperature throughout the year only presenting variables determined by precipitation during a rainy season caused by the Intertropical Convergence Zone.</p>
<h3 class="center">Colombian Society & Culture</h3>
<h4 class="center">Religion</h4>
<p class="center"> Most Colombians would consider themselves to be Roman Catholics.
The Church has historically been a very important influence over personal affairs such as marriage and family life. The parish church is often seen as the centre of a community, with the local priest representing divine authority and leadership. The church also has some influence in areas such as education, social welfare and union organization. </p>
<h4 class="center">The Role of the Family</h4>
<p class="center"> The family takes centre stage in the social structure. It acts as a source of support and advice and therefore great loyalty is shown to families. Although extended families rarely live under one roof, apart from in rural areas, many are still live very close and frequent one another's houses often. It is still common for children remain at home until they marry. The elderly are generally revered for their age and experience. </p>
<h4 class="center">Hierarchical</h4>
<p class="center">Colombia can be termed a hierarchical society. People earn respect due to age and position. The older people are naturally perceived as being wise and as a result are afforded great respect. You will always see the oldest person in a group served their food and drinks first. With this position also comes responsibility, Colombians expect the most senior person, whether at home or at work, to make decisions.</p>
<h3 class="center">Etiquette, Customs and Cuisine</h3>
<h4 class="center">Meeting and Greeting</h4>
<p class="center"> Men shake hands with direct eye contact. While shaking hands, use the appropriate greeting for the time of day: "buenos dias" (good day), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon), or "buenas noches" (good evening/night). Women often grasp forearms rather than shaking hands. Once a friendship has developed, greetings become warmer and a lot more hands on. Men will embrace and pat each other on the shoulder (known as an "abrazo") and women kiss once on the right cheek. Most Colombians have both a maternal and paternal surname and will use both. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation. Always refer to people by the appropriate honorific title and their surname. </p>
<h4 class="center">Cuisine</h4>
<p class="center">Colombian Cuisine is very diverse and varies depending on the different regions of Colombia. In some areas you will find specialties like roasted ants or guinea pigs while in other areas Colombians wouldn't even touch those dishes. Colombia is not a paradise for vegetarians as the Colombian diet includes a lot of meat. In the coastal areas you will find a good variety of fish, lobster and seafood often prepared with a sauce made out of coconut milk. The offer of fresh fruit is overwhelming and many of the varieties you have probably never heard of before.

In general breakfast is quite important in Colombia and consists of fruit juice, coffee or hot chocolate, fruit, eggs and bread. Lunch which is served between 12 and 14pm is the main meal of the day – at least in the countryside. A traditional main meal consists of a soup, a main dish, a drink and sometimes a dessert which is generally very sweet. The dinner is more like a snack. In the big cities the main meal often will be served around 7pm or 8pm.</p>
<h3 class="center">Plan your trip to Colombia</h3>
<p class="center">As I said before I was born in Colombia and my parents are from Colombia too. I only go to Colombia on vacation every each 2 to 4 years. Typically I am like a turist in Colombia, becuase I do not know much places or their 100% style of speaking. If you are planning to go to Colombia I recomment you to go to the rivers, pools, restaurants, clubs. What you can never miss is the food from Colombia. I can tell you from know that you will fall inlove!! Many people know too that we are very know for our coffee and I know you will like it too. When going out in the night and even in the day you have to be very careful with your personal belongings and try not to walk around with gold jewellery or belongings that look very expensive.</p>


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<h1 class="center"><img src="Pictures/Flags&Names/venezuela2.gif" width="230" height="130" align="center"/></h1>
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<h2 class="center"><img src="Pictures/Flags&Names/Venezuela-Flag.jpg" width="330" height="210" align="left"/>The Republic of Venezuela is the sixth largest country in South America, but in variation its landscape rivals that of the much larger countries like Brazil and Argentina.</h2>
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<h3 class="center">Location, Language and Capital</h3>
<p class="center">Venezuela lies at the northern extreme of South America, bordered by Colombia to the West, Brazil to the South, Guyana to the East, and the Caribbean Sea to the North. In all, the country is just over 900,000 square kilometers and divided into 23 states. Its borders seem to hold all of South America in miniature: there are fine stretches of the Andes, huge areas of Amazonian rain forests, fertile plains known as llanos, miles of Caribbean shoreline, and even a small desert. The nation also has a few geographical superlatives, including the world's highest waterfall and South America's biggest lake. Venezuela's capital, founded in 1567 by Diego de Losada, has one of most dramatic settings among South American cities. It sits about 3000 feet above sea level in a long valley that stretches from east to west. On one side of the valley are the uninhabited emerald slopes of Avila National Park; on the other, the rugged and heavily settled hills of the southern suburbs. The slopes of the Park rise above the city like immense green wave, forever on the verge of breaking. The elevation and proximity the ocean (about 15km to the north) combine to give Caracas almost unbeatable weather. A majority of the cultural and architectural attractions can be found in the area immediately surrounding Plaza Bolivar, the city center. The official language of Venezuela is Spanish</p>
<h4 class="center">Climate</h4>
<p class="center">Because of its proximity to the Equator, Venezuela experiences few climatic variations. There are really only two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season lasts from December to April, the wet one from May to November. The average temperature is about 27C, but cooler temperatures prevail at higher elevations, especially in the Andes, where jackets are needed.</p>
<h3 class="center">Society & Culture</h3>
<h4 class="center">Society</h4>
<p class="center">Despite a rough history, Venezuelans are infamous in South America for their easy-going nature and fun-loving spirit. Their national mythology hails back to the days when independent and rugged settlers tamed the lawlessness of the llanos, a heritage not unlike that of the American West. Most Venezuelans them come from a mix of European, Indian, and African roots, while a minority are exclusively white, black, or Indian. Roman Catholicism is the overwhelmingly dominant religion.</p>
<h4 class="center">Religion</h4>
<p class="center">Most Venezuelan would consider themselves to be Catholics.</p>
<h4 class="center">Cuisine</h4>
<p class="center">The food in Venezuela is generally easy and flavorful. Caracas claims to have a greater variety of restaurants than any other South American city, and it would certainly be a pleasure to try and prove it, even if you failed. Venezuelan cooking has European, indigenous, and African roots - a heterodox cuisine formed over the centuries by immigrants.

Some native dishes: 
Pabellon - stewed and shredded meat accompanied by rice, black beans, and banana
Hallaca - a traditional Christmas dish.
Cachapa - a type of sweet corn pancake served with cheese.
Arepas - a type of round cornmeal biscuit. </p>
<h3 class="center">Plan your trip to Venezuela</h3>



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